On-Campus Course Schedule for Fall 2022

Dig. Analytics & Measurement

This course examines the processes for gathering, interpreting, and presenting compelling digital data. Students will learn to use digital public opinion polling, specialized reports, social media platforms, digital analysis tools, and news aggregators to explain market research, audience trends, and social conversations. Students will also create data visualization tools to streamline data presentation into succinct, engaging formats.

Digital Essentials for Journalists

This course examines the essential digital skills needed in the field of journalism today. We will study the current media landscape to help students understand how digital skills and sensibilities are integrated with reporting, content creation, information dissemination and audience building efforts at news organizations of all sizes. The course involves a survey of key issues affecting the day-to-day work of modern journalists, as well as an examination of emerging technologies, platforms and ideas. Case studies, readings, media surveillance and guest lectures will help students learn the core skills needed to broaden their career opportunities; to add to their fundamental reporting background; and to think entrepreneurially about how to shape journalism. The final project will consist of a semester-long, team-created digital project that implements the full range of skills covered in the course. Students will: • learn practical, effective and applicable digital skills • create and distribute original content • investigate how individuals build traditional or unique journalism careers • develop and debate ideas using a collaborative, interactive team approach • display learning in class discussions, writing assignments and the final project This course is required for all MPS Journalism students. In order to satisfy graduation requirements, students must earn a B (3.00) or higher. Any student who fails to do so must repeat the course.

Note: Foundation class requires a B or better grade.

Ethics in Journalism

Ethics in journalism is not a list of DOs and DON’Ts tacked above your desk that you refer to when someone hands you stolen documents. Ethics in journalism is a series of decisions you make constantly, every day, in the routine exercise of you work. How many sources are enough for this story? What are the implications of referring to “campaign cash” instead of “campaign donations”? How much of the defendant’s quote should I use? This class is therefore intended to explore the myriad grey areas that dominate the way journalists work and live, the blurry lines that divide right from wrong, or, more accurately, divide “probably should” from “probably shouldn’t.” The goal of the class is to help you understand the ethical implications of the choices journalists make, to empower you to navigate the ethical minefield of attempting every day to explain to the world the activities of other people. This course is required for all MPS Journalism students, and must be completed by the second semester in the program. Students must earn a B (3.00) or higher in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

Note: Core requirement for the MPS degree. This course requires a grade of "B" or better. Additional 150 min. distance learning required. This course is required for all MPS Journalism students, and must be completed by the second semester in the program. Students must earn a B (3.00) or higher in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

Investigative Reporting

Students will learn the essential elements of investigative reporting through a combination of lectures, readings and hands-on project work. Students will experience a team approach to investigative reporting, from story concept to field reporting, research, writing and editing. We’ll also explore the role of data in investigative work. Ethics and legal aspects of investigative reporting will help form the framework of our discussions, and will complement material presented in the separate media law course. Course Objectives Develop skills in investigative reporting as well as an understanding of the role of such reporting in media organizations, across media platforms, and in the information marketplace.

Note: The pre-reqs for this course are MPJO 501 and MPJO 500.

Money & Media

Money plays a role in nearly every significant news story today, and students who take this course will be able to connect a wide range of topics using diverse storytelling skills through the prism of business journalism. We will look at how understanding the vocabulary and concepts of economics and finance apply to all types of writing and reporting, from politics and foreign correspondence to entertainment and sports. Frequent guest lectures from business journalists who write for major publications, a blog for niche audiences or appear on broadcast media will supplement the case studies, readings, and field work to show how business reporting opens gateways to a broader world while connecting journalists to their own communities. Students will be challenged to think of economics in new ways and apply their developing skills as reporters, writers and multimedia professionals in tangible ways prized by readers and potential employers.

MPS Journalism Capstone

The Master of Professional Studies Journalism degree program culminates in the Capstone. Each student produces a substantive and original reporting project on a timely issue that showcases his/her talents as a prospective journalist. It should be a major work of professional quality that requires extensive legwork, interviewing and research and will become the centerpiece of your portfolio. The Capstone experience is intended to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate that they have the journalistic skills, ethics and initiative necessary to be a professional journalist. The Capstone project is an independent reporting endeavor. Class sessions provide feedback and structure. Group instructors will give you guidance throughout the semester, and your small groups will serve as mini-newsrooms where you will be expected to give each other feedback and support. Successful completion of the MPSJ degree also requires submitting an ethics essay that reflects on your firsthand experience as a journalist. The essay will be graded as one of the assignments in the Capstone class. This is a core course of the MPS Journalism program, and students must earn a “B” (83) or higher to pass the course. Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for more details. Students with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA who receive a final grade of a B- or below may receive one opportunity to retake the course, if approved by the dean.

MPS Journalism Internship

Internships are a great way for students to gain real-world experiences and network with professionals in the field. Many employers require at least some internship experience to appear on a student’s resume. Taking on an internship while in the MPS Journalism program can help students integrate and enhance the skills they are learning in the classroom with professional, hands-on experiences. Students must participate in the internship according to the guidelines furnished by the employer, and they will be required to submit a weekly 500 word writing assignment reflecting on the successes and challenges of the internship. At the end of each semester, the student’s supervisor must complete an evaluation of the student’s performance, and submit it directly to the MPS Journalism program. ** Students must receive approval from the MPS Journalism program prior to enrolling in the Internship class.

Note: Extensive, documented academic activity and experiential learning outside of classrom (min. 3-4 hours per week) is required. Needs Department Approval

Personal Branding (Cross-listed with MPPR 891)

ambiguous ingredients in a career strategy. This course will arm students with the resources to evaluate, improve, and employ personal branding strategies for themselves and for key members of their organizational team. The course will discuss personal branding strategies in both digital and event contexts – including social media platforms, presentations, and networking opportunities.

Note: Cross-listed with MPMC-891-01 and MPPR 891-01.

Photo and Video Storytelling

Foundation requirement for Journalism majors. This course requires a grade of "B" or better to pass. Additional 150 minute distance learning component required Course Description: This course is designed to give the student the ability to communicate in the Video Age--whether for television or the web. We call it storytelling to emphasize the communication of ideas, rather than simply the technical knowledge of shooting and editing video. Students will begin by learning how shots work together, how to write compelling scripts, and how to use audio for best effect. Then students will work with professional camera equipment to develop shooting, lighting, and audio skills. The class will also have hands-on instruction in editing techniques using Final Cut Pro. By the end of the course, students should be comfortable in the video storytelling process--from the flash of an idea, to the finished product on the screen, in the field, and in the studio. Students who entered the MPS Journalism program in Summer 2010 and thereafter must complete this class and receive a grade of solid "B" (3.00) or higher in order to graduate.

Note: Foundation requirement for Journalism majors. This course requires a grade of "B" or better to pass. This course is cross-listed with MPPR 509-01.

Political Reporting

Students will learn the techniques of reporting on political candidates, events and issues. Through hands-on writing and reporting assignments as well as the analysis of the day's print, broadcast and digital political journalism, students will learn how to craft informative, contextual and balanced stories on politics. At the end of this course, students will be able to: *Understand the techniques of reporting on political candidates, events and issues *Find and develop sources in politics and in Congress *Craft informative, contextual and balanced political stories *Fact-check politicians' statements and campaign ads *Read and understand federal campaign finance reports

Reporting and News Writing

Journalism begins with basic reporting. This class focuses on the basics of beat reporting, one of the building blocks of any newsroom and journalism career. The class will also take a closer look at the reporting and writing process, from finding an idea to researching it, pitching it and executing it into a publishable article. Students will strive to become experts on the neighborhood they cover through old-school shoe leather reporting and will keep abreast of spot news while learning how to identify and pursue longer-form enterprise stories. The class will also have a Twitter handle and Facebook page — DChoods — where students will publish routinely and practice writing for social media and cultivating sources and finding story ideas using these new tools. The updates on Twitter and Facebook will not just be news stories, but also tidbits collected during visits to the neighborhood, which should be visited weekly at minimum. This is a core course of the MPS Journalism program, and students must earn a “B” (83) or higher to pass the course. Please see the Graduate Student Handbook for more details.

Studio Reporting

This class gives Georgetown students the skills to produce high-quality studio shows throughout the semester. Students will be introduced to TV producing, develop scriptwriting abilities, as well as tackle advanced filming and editing techniques.

Note: The pre-reqs to this course are MPJO 500, 501, 505, 508.

Visual Communications

Note: This course is cross-listed with MPDC-520-101 and MPMC-720-101. This course requires MPJO 500 Ethics, MPJO 501 Reporting & News writing, MPJO 505 Digital Essentials, and MPJO 508 photo and video storytelling as pre-reqs. In today’s digital world, it has become necessary for communicators to use visual tools to communicate ideas effectively. In this course, students learn how to research, apply and critique typography, color strategies, digital imaging, design principles, and visual trends. Students should have a working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suites and other relevant computer programs prior to taking this course.